HOW IT WORKS

Each week our writers will make one sleeper pick each, in the hopes of that guy pulling through and exploding for a big week. We’ll note reasons why we like that player over another so on and what not. Each writer will accrue points every week from their pick, but there’s a catch.

Since it’s about sleepers, we’re going to take the DraftKings ownership percentage and subtract that amount of points. For example, if you select Drew Brees as your pick and he scored 50 points, but his ownership is at 50%, you’ll only score 25. If your Running Back, Wide Reciever, Tight End, or Defense’s ownership is under 5%, your points will multiply, 5% is multiplied by 1.5, 4% by 2, 3% by 3, 2% by 4, 1% by 5, and less than 1% by 6. For Quarterbacks, the multipliers are halved, 4% by 1.25, 3% by 1.5, 2% by 2, 1% by 2.5, and less than 1% by 3.

At the end of the season, the top 2 writers with the most points will split a $100 prize pool $75/$25.

THE PICKS

New England Patriots – D, New England Patriots

A lot of people are looking to Phil Rivers and his arsenal of offensive options massacres the New England Patriots this Sunday. You know who was also supposed to do that? Matt Ryan. Look what happened.

Tyler Kroft – TE, Bengals

Deonte Thompson – WR, Buffalo Bills

Because I’m a masochist… I’ve been sucking it up lately, so I’m going to pull a Buffalo Bills and take a shot on Deonte. He was dropped by Chicago on October 11th, signed on the 17th by Buffalo, and caught 4 passes for 107 yards on the 22nd. Tyrod Taylor’s targets have been mediocre at best, so Thompson could be a bright spot if he can manage to keep up some targets this week.

T.J. Jones – WR, Detroit Lions

Well, after taking the idea of the sleeper pick entirely too far last week and picking a guy in Ardarius Stewart with 0.0% ownership and who might as well have actually been sleeping during the game, this week I think its best to not take such a risk and pick a guy who’s more of a sure thing.

Nah.

It’s the Sleeper Cell, right? Let’s dive right back into the obscure WR pool and come out with Detroit Lions WR T.J. Jones. Golden Tate has been limited, and Jones actually got 9 targets from Matthew Stafford last week. I’ll take a bet here on Jones getting more comfortable against the Steelers, and if he gets 9 targets again then I like his chances.

Bennie Fowler – WR, Denver Broncos

Darren Fells – TE, Detroit Lions

This is the definition of a boom or bust pick. Fells has a total of four catches in the Lions’ last two games, but three of those four catches were touchdowns. I’m banking that this trend continues, and if it does, expect him to finish with solid 20-40 yards receiving and a score. What gives me hope for this pick? There’s no better sign of trust in a receiver than getting looks in the red zone, and Fells seems to have that on lockdown over the last month. Also, he’s been playing just as much if not more than fellow TE Eric Ebron in terms of snaps. His usage, while not huge, is steady in this offense. And I think he’s worth a look for those who are feeling saucey.

Cordarelle Patterson – WR, Oakland Raiders

I’m in a bit of a slump guys. I need to bring it back. Who’s my workhorse? Cordarelle Patterson. He has been pretty quiet this season, and by pretty I quiet I mean he had that one solid week back in week 2 and that’s it. But when he was on the Vikings? The potential was absurd. There are two sleepers on this team, the other being Seth Roberts who has been a complete nonfactor this season. However his fantastic season last year shows what he’s capable of and he’s sure to have one of those games this year. Is this week that week? I’m not sure. Ahead of Patterson on the depth chart are the absolute monster that is Amari Cooper (DID YOU SEE LAST WEEK?! WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?) and Michael Crabtree who is such a bomb consistent WR2. Those two will be drawing all the focus this week which leaves Patterson available for a sneaky crazy huge play that no one sees coming. Plus? He returns kickoffs and the bills Special Teams have not been the most awesome this year. Do I think he’s gonna get a KR return? Probably not. But if one was going to happen this week? This game is ripe for it.

Jamaal Charles – RB, Denver Broncos

Jamaal Charles? Back in Arrowhead Stadium? All Day. All Night. All ACL Tears…. wait what? Ina ll seriousness, Charles is about to come back to Kansas City and show the Chief what they missed out on. The Jamaal Charles Renaissance begins tomorrow night.

Tyler Kroft – TE, Cincinnati Bengals

I am breaking new ground this week and taking a tight end for the first time all year. However, I’m targeting a familiar foe in the Indianapolis Colts whom I’ve had relative success picking against this season. So, this week, I choose Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Kroft. He’s filling in admirably for injured starter Tyler Eifert at the moment, and I want a piece of this action. So far this year, Indy is giving up the 11th most points to the tight end position, but what really has me targeting them is the fact that they are 2nd to last in the NFL in total defense and passing yards against. They can’t stop a thing.

As for Kroft specifically, he now has 3 TDs in his last 3 games and has suddenly become one of Dalton’s top targets near the goal line. He’s being used mainly as a short yardage receiver, but that’s the kind of guy we need near the end zone. He may not feast on receptions, but I’m gambling on the fact that he gets into the end zone yet again this week.

CHECK BACK IN WITH US ON WEDNESDAY TO SEE HOW WELL WE DID!

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